In a significant boost to its mission of enhancing children’s mental health and personal development, Egyptian education technology startup Farid has announced securing $250,000 in pre-seed funding from Saudi businesswoman Amal bint Abdulaziz Al-Ajlan. This funding comes at a crucial moment for the company, as it finalizes strategic partnerships with several schools across Egypt and looks to expand regionally.
Founded in 2024 by Mahmoud Hussein, Farid aims to address a critical gap in education by focusing on the personal and psychological development of children and young people aged 3 to 18. The platform’s innovative approach sets it apart, offering live, one-on-one sessions that promote character-building and mental health support. Hussein, drawing from his extensive experience in education and personal development, has positioned Farid as the first platform in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to provide such individualized care for Arab children.
Innovating Education for Well-Being
The core of Farid’s model lies in its emphasis on modern educational methodologies that extend beyond traditional academic learning. The platform’s programs are designed to cultivate soft skills and enhance emotional well-being, areas often overlooked in conventional schooling. With the mental health of children increasingly becoming a focal point for educators worldwide, Farid has emerged as a pioneer in the MENA region, targeting a growing demand for psychological and personal development education.
Farid’s approach aligns with global trends in educational innovation, emphasizing the importance of soft skills, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence. These skills, often underrepresented in standard curricula, are considered vital for children to thrive in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.
Mahmoud Hussein expressed his excitement about the investment, noting that it would enable the company to scale its operations. “This funding from Amal bint Abdulaziz Al-Ajlan is a testament to the importance of innovation in education, particularly when it comes to the mental health and personal development of children,” Hussein said. “We are committed to expanding our platform, developing new training content, and hiring talented trainers to ensure we can reach more children and help them prepare for the future with confidence.”
Expansion into Gulf Markets
A key part of Farid’s strategy involves expanding beyond Egypt and establishing a stronger presence in the Gulf region, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The platform aims to partner with educational institutions in these markets, tapping into a larger audience that is increasingly focused on holistic educational solutions.
In the coming years, Farid plans to scale its subscriber base, targeting 20,000 new subscribers by 2026. The company is also set to roll out additional workshops and curricula, designed to further enhance children’s talents and equip them with the resilience needed to face future challenges. “The demand for self-development and soft skills education in the region is immense,” Hussein noted, “and with our unique methodology, we are well-positioned to meet this need.”
Training the Next Generation of Educators
In addition to expanding its reach to children, Farid has ambitious plans to train 10,000 graduates from colleges of education by 2030. These graduates will become certified trainers in the Farid methodology, helping the platform scale its services while also addressing the regional demand for skilled educators in the mental health and personal development space.
This effort to develop a robust network of certified trainers underscores Farid’s broader goal of creating an educational ecosystem that promotes well-being across all stages of development. As part of its expansion, the startup is actively seeking partnerships with schools and universities that share its commitment to fostering holistic growth in children.
Farid’s innovative approach has not gone unnoticed. Earlier this year, the startup was selected among the top 100 startups at the Leap 24 conference in Riyadh, one of the most prestigious technology events in the region. This recognition highlights the company’s growing reputation as a leader in educational technology and underscores the increasing focus on mental health and personal development within the regional educational landscape.
With this latest round of funding and its strategic plans for regional expansion, Farid is well on its way to becoming a significant player in the MENA edtech space. The company’s vision of empowering children and youth through innovative, personalized education places it at the forefront of a global shift towards more inclusive and holistic approaches to learning.